Lew’s Fishing Tackle has announced plans to invest $3.5M for a new corporate headquarters and consolidated distribution center in Springfield. Lew’s will build the new 58,000 sq. ft. facility on land north of Partnership Industrial Center and plans to add five new jobs to their current workforce of 26.

Lew’s management hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the new location on Friday, October 31. On hand at the event were Lew's pro fishermen David Fritts, Wally Marshall and Kevin Short.

Chamber staff and and Springfield's partnership for Economic Development worked with Lew’s executives to facilitate the expansion and helped them access local property tax abatement. Construction on the new facility will be led by Morelock-Ross Builders of Springfield.

“Springfield is a growing city in the middle of the country, and it’s home. We’re close to our customers, and close to our roots,” Reeves said. “When we began looking to the future of the company, that’s what really counted.”

Established in 1949 by Lew Childre, the Lew’s rod and reel brand is known for product innovation. The Lew’s brand was purchased in 2009 by family friend Lynn Reeves, now CEO of Do Outdoors, Inc./Lew’s Fishing Tackle. Since June 2011, the company has operated from a 20,000 sq. ft. facility in Springfield and is looking to increase both their office and distribution capacity to meet present and future business. Lew’s currently sells fishing rods and reels to Wal-Mart, Academy Sports, Cabela’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, and is steadily increasing its number of international customers.